Prompt: Regret

Title: Harry´s regret (Yeah… I´m that original.)

Disclaimer: All the characters belong to J.K. Rowling. I´m just playing and enjoying with them.

Characters: Harry, Ron, Ron/Hermione

A/N: Thanks so much to willow_wand

Harry´s regret

Harry could barely talk to Hermione. He could barely talk to Ron.

He had been reckless enough to say the forbidden name aloud, which had ended with Hermione suffering the worst physical pain possible and with the three of them nearly killed. Again.

"I'm really sorry, mate," Harry said.

"It's not your fault."

"Yes, it's-" He was convinced beyond any doubt. "You all are in this situation because of me… I was the one who made the big mistake… If she wouldn't have made it…"

Ron stopped Harry's rant with a panicked exclamation. "She did. She did make it." He whispered the words slowly, as though convincing himself. "She will be fine."

"I know. Hermione is…" Harry hesitated, afraid of using the wrong expression. "Hermione is my rock."

Then he added quickly, "But she is your girl."

"She is not…"

"Don't be daft, Ron," he said, exhaustion creeping into his tone. "Yes, she is."

"Why are you apologizing to me anyway? I know she doesn't blame you, but maybe you should talk to her about this."

"I will," he answered quickly. "But I need to say this… to you first."

"But why?" Ron insisted.

"Because I saw you. Because I was terrified back there, but I know it doesn´t compare with what you felt." He seemed unable to stop now. "Because she is like my sister but she is not yours… And if this would have happened to Ginny I don´t know if I could have taken it."

The knot on Harry´s throat was closing more with each passing second. "And because I know that my regret doesn't erase anything, but I need your forgiveness so we can move on."

"Harry, mate…" Ron looked uncomfortable but awkwardly touched by his words. "You forgave me after what I did. He clapped Harry's shoulder firmly and murmured slowly. "And I don't have any right to judge or deny you anything… but thanks for telling me this. Besides how could it be your fault that the craziest, most maniacal wizard of all time has been trying to kill you since you were one year old?"

To the last statement, Harry snorted shaking his head and Ron arched an eyebrow.

"What?"

"You two are so... alike. Hermione and you, I mean," Harry clarified. "Here you are, giving me logic reasons in Hermione's usual way... and there she is, letting her temper control her and hitting you with her fists..."

Their chat was cut short by Luna´s appearance in the doorway.

"Hey… sorry to interrupt you, but Hermione is a bit anguished and maybe you should…"

"You go to her, Ron."

"Sure? Maybe…"

"She wants you, Ron."

"Harry is right. She wants you, Ron."

Ron grinned, nodded briefly, and left the room in a rush.

"So… are they together now?"

Harry smiled and remembered the last time he had been asked the same question. They were more than "sort of" now, so he opted for the undeniable truth.

"Closer than ever."